"Dinner is served," Dobby announced in a trembling but clear voice.
Everyone stood and made their way to the dining room.
The chamber was even more imposing than the drawing room: a long table of polished black oak, illuminated by floating candelabras whose flames burned in shades of blue and silver. The walls were adorned with ancient tapestries depicting forgotten magical battles, and ancestral Malfoy portraits watched from every corner.
Celestia, upon seeing her assigned place, purred softly.
"Thank you for preparing exactly what I requested," she said with a touch of satisfaction.
On her plate lay smoked salmon with Nordic herbs, chopped Brazil nuts, and a small goblet of aged elf wine—precisely as she'd specified in her list weeks ago.
"I couldn't afford to fail," Lucius said with a courteous smile. "Details define distinction."
They sat.
Dinner began with a clear, fragrant pheasant consommé infused with garden herbs, served in delicate antique porcelain cups. This was followed by venison loin braised in red wine with seasonal vegetables and a hint of blackcurrants. Each dish was a work of art, presented with near-ceremonial precision that revealed centuries of tradition at this table.
As they ate, Lucius broke the silence.
"Tell me, Nathael… what are your plans for the holidays?"
Nathael cut a piece of meat with elegance.
"I'll be traveling. Family matters."
"I see," Lucius said, intrigued. "But… have you considered staying here a few days? Draco has made enormous progress under your guidance. It would be the perfect opportunity for him to practice without Hogwarts distractions."
Nathael looked at him. Then he thought.
It wasn't just an invitation. It was a plea disguised as pride.
"I'll be busy," he said at first.
But then an idea emerged.
"Although… I could teach him while I travel."
Lucius raised an eyebrow.
"Travel?"
"Yes," Nathael said. "Let Draco come with me. As we journey, I'll teach him—not just magic, but how to see the world as it truly is."
Lucius grew thoughtful.
Narcissa, however, frowned.
"Travel? But… isn't it dangerous? Draco is only eleven."
"And he's already shown maturity beyond his years," Nathael replied. "Besides, he won't be alone. I'll be with him. And Celestia."
Lucius looked at his wife.
"The Grauheims do not act without purpose," he said, as if that explained everything.
Narcissa hesitated.
"But… what if something goes wrong?"
"Then," Nathael said gently, "he'll learn to deal with it. Because the world isn't Hogwarts, Mrs. Malfoy. You of all people must know the cruelty that exists beyond these walls—and Hogwarts'."
Draco, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"It would be an honor to accompany you."
He looked at his father.
"Thanks to Nathael's teachings… I'm now the second-best first-year student at Hogwarts."
Lucius looked at him, surprised.
"Second?"
Draco nodded, a spark of pride in his eyes.
"Yes."
But Lucius's brow furrowed.
"And why not first?"
Draco's expression fell.
"I'm sorry, Father."
Nathael intervened before the moment grew tense.
"Remember what I said earlier, Mr. Malfoy. At Hogwarts, they don't measure talent—they measure obedience. Draco is first. It's just not measured by their rules."
He didn't mention Hermione. He didn't say she was the one ranked first. Because he knew that, for Lucius, that would stain his son's honor—and he didn't want to undo Draco's progress.
After a moment of reflection, Lucius nodded.
"Then… he'll go.
Because if anyone can make my son indisputably first… it's you."
Narcissa sighed.
"Very well. But… promise me he'll be safe."
"With me," Celestia said, "your son will have nothing to fear."
After dinner, Lucius invited them to stay.
"It's still early," he said. "And Draco will need time to prepare. You may spend the afternoon and night here. You can depart tomorrow."
Nathael and Celestia accepted.
Dobby led them to the manor's noblest guest suite: a spacious room overlooking the gardens, walls lined in dark green silk, and a canopy bed carved from ancient oak.
When the door closed behind them, Celestia removed her cloak and sank onto a cushion.
"Why bring Draco?" she asked without preamble.
"Don't you like him?"
"Of course I do," Celestia said. "He's elegant. Disciplined. And has a sense of style that even impresses me—so long as he doesn't start copying your fashion. But… we're going to the United States on a secret mission. Isn't it dangerous?"
Nathael sat by the window, gazing at the gardens.
"I don't think there's real danger. We'll only be searching for information—traces of the artifact. Myths. Ancient texts."
He paused.
"But there's another reason."
Celestia looked at him.
"What?"
"Draco still holds arrogance toward Muggles. He still believes pureblood superiority is innate—not something earned. With Hermione… it's different. He respects her. Not just because they're my students, but because they've formed a bond in my office."
"And?"
"I want him to see the real world," Nathael said. "To walk through London and the United States. To see how Muggles live. To understand that magic isn't a privilege of lineage… but a gift that must be earned."
Celestia was silent for a moment.
"That's a good idea."
Then she smiled.
"But… why not bring Hermione too?"
Nathael looked at her, surprised.
"Hermione?"
"Yes," Celestia said. "She's your other student. And she's brilliant. Besides… she's practically Draco's friend now. Wouldn't it be perfect?"
Nathael thought.
"Tomorrow we're going to London to visit her.
I'll ask."
"Do it," Celestia said. "Because if we're going to teach Draco that the world isn't black and white…
then he needs to see it with his own eyes.
And who better than Hermione to show him?"
Nathael smiled.
"You're right."
He looked out the window.
"Then… we'll be four."
Celestia curled up on her cushion.